Ogbonnaya Onu, former Abia State governor, is dead

The first governor of Abia State and former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, is dead.

Dr. Onu was confirmed dead at a hospital in Abuja in the early hours of Thursday, April 11, 2024, aged 73.

He was a politician, author and engineer until his death in April 2024 after an undisclosed brief illness.

He was the first civilian governor of Abia State.

Onu was said to have refused to travel overseas for treatment.

He was the Nigerian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022.

He served under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the meantime, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learnt that his remains has been moved to a mortuary in Abuja.

According to a family source, Ogbonnaya Onu had been ill even before the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.

At the Convention, it could be recalled, he had protested the ill treatment of Igbos by the ruling party, APC.

The source said Onu has a poor eating habit and would stay for days without food despite his deteriorating health condition.

DDM learnt that friends and families have been trooping his home in Asokoro, Abuja, to pay condolences.

Quick bio of Ogbonnaya Onu

Ogbonnaya Onu, born December 1, 1951, was a Nigerian politician, author, and engineer.

He was born to the family of Eze David Aba Onu in Amata, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area, now in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

He held significant roles in Nigerian politics and science.

Here are some key points about his life and career:

Early Life and Education

Ogbonnaya Onu attended Izzi High School in Abakaliki, where he excelled in his West African School Certificate Examination.

He graduated with a first-class degree in chemical engineering from the University of Lagos in 1976.

He took doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 1980.

Teaching Career

Onu became a teacher at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State.

He will later serve as a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt.

The former governor pioneered the department and acted as the dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

Political Career

Ogbonnaya Onu started as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in old Imo State under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

He successfully contested for the position of governor of Abia State in 1991 under National Republican Convention.

He was sworn in as the first executive governor of Abia State in January 1992.

Ministerial Role

Onu served as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Nigeria from November 2015 to 2022.

His tenure made him the longest-serving minister in that ministry.

Ogbonnaya Onu made significant contributions to Nigerian governance, education, and technological advancement.

His legacy will be remembered for years to come.

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